Israel Shaffer
ISRAEL SHAFFER, successfully engaged in the wholesale produce business and a man of high standing in Kittanning, was born May 1, 1845, in Red Bank township, Armstrong Co., PA., son of Christian and Magdalena (Faringer) Shafer. His grandfather, Samuel Shafer, was a farmer and early settler of western Pennsylvania.
Christian Shafer, son of Samuel, was born in Northampton county, PA., and located in Armstrong county in young manhood, becoming one of the prosperous farmers of his region. He and his wife and twelve children: Lewis, George, who died in infancy; John C; Israel; Samuel; Levi, who died young; Susanna; Elizabeth; Mary, who died young; Catherine; Sarah, and Caroline. The father died in 1881, the mother surviving until 1893. They were consistent members of the Evangelical Church.
Israel Shafer was educated in the public schools of Red Bank township and the Dayton Academy. In 1864 he enlisted in Company G, 78th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served capably until the close of the war. His two brothers, Lewis and John, were also Union soldiers, both being in the same regiment as he. Returning to Armstrong county at the close of the war, Mr. Shafer entered the wholesale produce business at Pittsburgh, which line of endeavor has engaged his time and energy ever since. He has been very successful in his undertaking, and ranks among the prosperous business men of the county. In 1899 he was the Republican candidate for county treasurer, and was elected by a good majority, serving one term of three years in that office. On Sept. 30, 1911, he was nominated by his party as candidate for county commissioner, and was elected.
On Jan. 25, 1866, Mr. Shafer married Catherine Shick, daughter of John Shick, of Armstrong county. Mr. and Mrs. Shafer became the parents of nine children: Harvey G., Amos C., William Reed, Lillian (deceased), Nellie R. (wife of Dr. J. D. Sedwick, a dentist), Wallace H., and three who died in infancy, two daughters and one son. Mrs. Shafer died in 1890. The entire family early became members of the Evangelical church, to which Mr. Shafer is a liberal contributor.
Source: Pages 572-573, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed December 1998 by Connie Mateer for the Armstrong County Beers Project
Contributed for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format, for any presentation, without prior written permission.Return to the Beers Project
Return to the Armstrong County Genealogy Project
Return to the Armstrong County Genealogy Project
Return to the Armstrong County Genealogy Project